By Eshioromeh Sebastian
The African Democratic Congress has alleged that the APC-led Sokoto State Government deliberately blocked hotel accommodation in the state to derail its presidential campaign flag-off scheduled for the weekend.
According to the party, hotels across Sokoto, both publicly and privately owned, were suddenly unavailable, with its delegates reportedly told that no rooms could be secured between Tuesday and Sunday.
Dahiru Maishanu, spokesperson for the presidential campaign, made the allegation in a statement on Wednesday in Sokoto. He described the development as “unbecoming and irresponsible,” arguing that no government should prevent citizens who can pay from lodging in hotels — and that it was “equally condemnable to evict customers who had already paid and were currently staying.”
Maishanu characterised the alleged directive as “executive rascality and unwarranted partisanship,” but vowed that “no amount of intimidation and harassment” would stop party members nationwide from attending the flag-off.
He insisted the event would proceed as planned, with presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, state party leader Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and other chieftains present.
The APC Youth Vanguards, however, rejected the claim, calling it a misleading attempt to paint the state government as hostile to opposition activity.
In a statement signed by its Secretary, Abdurrasheed Yaqub, the group argued that the accusation was politically driven and that the full context had been ignored.
It pointed to a major traditional event slated for Sunday, November 1, 2026, where traditional titleholders appointed by the Sultan of Sokoto will be turbaned — a ceremony expected to draw dignitaries and guests from across the country, naturally tightening hotel availability.
The group questioned how a government reputed for fiscal prudence would spend public funds merely to block an opposition party: “How can a state government known for prudence and transparency in the management of public resources deliberately spend taxpayers’ money on hotel accommodation simply to frustrate an opposition political party? Such a claim requires credible evidence, not political insinuations.”
It also noted that NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi, his running mate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and their supporters recently spent days in Sokoto campaigning freely, and that ADC supporters had held meetings and rallies in public spaces without hindrance, proof, it said, that the government was not in the business of stifling opponents.
The Vanguards urged the ADC to concentrate on selling its ideas and called on the media to uphold “verification, fairness and balanced reporting.”
The Sokoto State Government had yet to respond to the allegation as of press time.
The flag-off, initially set for Saturday, October 31, 2026, to launch Atiku Abubakar’s 2027 presidential bid in Sokoto, has now been postponed over insufficient accommodation for delegates travelling from outside the state.
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